In 1985, Dynaplas made the once routine evolution from a tool shop to that of an integrated injection molder with its own captive tool shop. The move was primarily the result of a request from its largest customer at the time. Today, its plant in Toronto is the same facility, although its space has expanded to over 100,000 square feet, and the company continues its long-term relationship with that same client, along with many new customers.

TECHNOLOGY & COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE:

Dynaplas has developed its proprietary software and processes over a number of years. Its state-of-the-art mold designing and processing technology accounts for the company’s unique ability to export products to low-cost countries, where so many others have transferred production, and enables Dynaplas to compete globally with outsourced competitors in China, Eastern Europe, Mexico, India and Brazil.

Greg Walton, CEO, says that the business is sustained through its research & development, and maintains, “In this industry, if you don’t stay one step ahead, it’s only a matter of time before you’re gone.” While engineering and technology is what drives its business forward, Walton says the company’s real strength comes from its team — “a good group of people who have worked together for a long time.”

Dynaplas is unique in that it processes its materials at very high temperatures, using types of raw materials (resins) that most of their competitors don’t want to touch. Much of the company’s strategy calls for its engineers to convert components, which are today cast or machined, into lighter, more economical and ‘greener’ plastic components.

Born from the automotive industry’s demand for weight-savings and cost-savings, the solutions they provide are derived from the plastic parts which must meet or exceed the strength & durability specifications of their solid-metal counterparts. Dynaplas’ team excels in confronting the challenges that accompany this all-important transition and developing the applicable solutions to overcome them.

NEW PROJECTS:

After encountering an opportunity to branch into the paddle-sports industry by adapting its molding technology for the manufacture of products for use in kayaking and other paddle sports, Dynaplas recently introduced a product line called, “H2O Performance Paddles” [www.h2opaddles.com]. The strikingly dissimilar water sport business has given the company a chance to become familiar with a completely different way of doing-business than the automotive one to which it is accustomed.

Currently, the Dynaplas website is fairly simple & straightforward, as its customers don’t find much need for online interaction with orders. However, Walton realizes that, in terms of attracting employees, and possibly prompting cold-calls from customers, web presence is an important element to pay attention to.

COMPANY CULTURE & SUSTAINABILITY:

In addition to utilizing an extensive recycling program on-site, Dynaplas also enlists students in its sustainability efforts, working in conjunction with local-area universities to further develop its engineering programs and enhance its energy-savings.

According to Walton, “this area of Southern Toronto has several outstanding universities & colleges that produce some very talented people.”

These students provide a fresh perspective by identifying potential areas for energy-savings and cost-cutting and providing cutting edge solutions.

The program provides mutual benefits, as it keeps the company informed & aware of the latest technology available to the industry, and offers a good exchange for the students by exposing them to the challenges of conducting real-world business.

Extending opportunities for student involvement also aids in the recruitment process, by offering opportunities to identify great potential talent. The company is now accelerating its hiring processes after the previous number of years.

For existing employees, info sessions are held at least monthly during which the company shares information critical to running the business. The added involvement promotes a sense of pride in ownership & accomplishment for employees, and encourages their continuing investment in its overall success. Dynaplas also supports its employees through tuition-assistance, which is made available to employees looking to continue in their higher-level education.

CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT:

Dynaplas has already embraced the Toyota Production System and has been on the lean journey for a number of years. Since these programs were first implemented in-house, the company has seen better scheduling practices and optimized lot-sizes as a result. Dynaplas also received its official ISO 14001 certification last year, a logical progression for this progressive company. .

Obviously, The Global Economic Downturn inflicted a sizable wound on the auto industry, as industry sales dropped down to 50 percent of what they were previously.

Dynaplas was also impacted, with reduced volumes for those clients who constituted the North American side of its automotive business. As for the company’s success in outlasting the economic downturn, Greg Walton says the key has been to maintain focus, always remaining confident in the industry’s re-stabilization and its return to normalized production volumes.

His approach translates into a philosophy that emphasizes a business’ need to keep itself current with technological advancements, as well as continuing to nurture its internal company and industry relationships. Simply stated, “You have to keep your technology and your relationships alive and well.”

LOOKING AHEAD:

This year, Dynaplas is experiencing renewed growth, due to auto-industry volumes rising, and a very aggressive business model. “We are seeing the return of business, as people find their equilibrium, so to speak,” says Walton. Still, he sees a good deal of caution being taken and, “a lot of consciousness concerning expenditures in the business world in general.”

While the trend in the early 2000s towards outsourcing production on all types of products to low-cost countries was beneficial for some, Walton thinks that today’s trend reflects that, “we are now coming to the realization that, when it comes to highly-specific manufacturing, certain products are better kept close to home.”

For the future, Dynaplas will continue to look for ways to expand its footprint, perhaps by casting its net broader geographically, or exploring the possibilities for making more extensive assemblies.